Merrill makes difference for Devils in win

Rookie plays well, helps Albany move within 4 points of playoff spot

Published 11:51 pm, Friday, March 29, 2013

Devils' Jean-Sebastien Berube, right, and Bears' Garrett Stafford, left, apply the brakes to stop and chase a puck during their hockey game on Friday, March 29, 2013, at Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Devils' Jean-Sebastien Berube, right, and Bears' Garrett Stafford,...

Devils' Eric Gelinas, left, celebrates a first-period goal by Cam Janssen, center, assisted by Jean-Sebastien Berube, right, during their hockey game against the Hershey Bears on Friday, March 29, 2013, at Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Devils' Eric Gelinas, left, celebrates a first-period goal by Cam...

Devils' Brandon Burlon, left, controls the puck as Bears' Matt Pope, center, defends during their hockey game on Friday, March 29, 2013, at Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Devils' Brandon Burlon, left, controls the puck as Bears' Matt...

Devils' David Wohlberg, center, loses the puck as Bears' Garrett Stafford defends during their hockey game on Friday, March 29, 2013, at Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Devils' David Wohlberg, center, loses the puck as Bears' Garrett...

Devils' Steve Zalewski, right, struggles for a loose puck with Bears' Brett Flemming during their hockey game on Friday, March 29, 2013, at Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Devils' Steve Zalewski, right, struggles for a loose puck with...

Devils' Phil DeSimone, left, controls the puck as Bears' Nicolas Deschamps defends during their hockey game on Friday, March 29, 2013, at Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

All it took to get the Albany Devils out of their doldrums was a youngster to bring a little fresh air to the locker room.

Jon Merrill, a 21-year-old defenseman who just completed his third season at the University of Michigan, made his pro hockey debut Friday night and helped the Devils snap a season-long six-game losing streak.

Merrill had an assist and a plus-2 rating, and he made a couple of impressive defensive plays, as Albany kept its American Hockey League playoff hopes alive with a 5-3 victory over the Hershey Bears at Times Union Center.

"He's a hell of a hockey player," said veteran forward Cam Janssen, who got the Devils started with his first goal in nearly two years. "He was composed with the puck, smart, made some great offensive and defensive plays. We've got to take advantage of his presence while we can because he might not be here."

Merrill, the New Jersey Devils' 2010 second-round draft pick, will stay through the end of season. He has signed an entry-level pro contract, but that won't begin until next season, so he isn't eligible for the NHL. He is with Albany on an amateur tryout agreement.

"It's always tough to come into a situation, especially like that where it's a must-win, and he did a great job," said Albany captain Jay Leach, who had the first two-goal game of his 489-game AHL career. "You can tell he's got some poise and is pretty smart, made some nice heady plays. He's obviously got a pretty bright future."

Merrill picked up his assist when he threaded a pass to Phil DeSimone, who set up Leach for a 3-1 Albany lead.

Later in the second period, Hershey's Garrett Stafford had a clean breakaway, but Merrill busted back to get in the way, helping goaltender Keith Kinkaid make the save.

"It was good to get out there the first couple of shifts, get hit a little bit, get into the game," said Merrill, who missed the first half of his college season because of injury and played only 21 games for the Wolverines.

Coach Rick Kowalsky, whose team moved within four points of Hershey for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, may have another rookie in his lineup Saturday night, when the Devils play host to Portland. Reid Boucher, who scored 62 goals in the Ontario Hockey League this season, signed an amateur contract Friday.

"These are good players, top prospects that are coming from competitive hockey," Kowalsky said. "It's not like we're just bringing them in. They've been playing some competitive hockey. We want to make sure they're in shape and on board with what we're doing systems-wise. They haven't been here and been through some of this stuff, so it's just a fresh approach."